CLARINGTON -- There’s a new mural in the front lobby of Holy Family Catholic School to brighten and inspire the students.

With the help of the nine-student mural council, artist Janet Lange spent two months sketching and then painting the mural. The art piece was unveiled last week and students seeing it for the first time were impressed. Several students came up to Ms. Lange to say, “Awesome,” and “Teach me.”

Inspired by ideas from the mural council, “I came up with Catholic Expectations,” Ms. Lange said.

The only people to see it before the unveiling were students on the mural council, she said. That, however, didn’t stop some from getting a sneak preview.

“They poked holes in the plastic.”

Ms. Lange noted it was the first mural she’s painted, but added one of the aims was, “We wanted to get kids involved in the process.”

The mural covers 272 square feet and two nearby pillars.

Members of the mural council included Jillian Smigielski, who is in Grade 7, and her brother Ryan (Grade 5), Megan Scott, Jeremy Subden, Jasmine Sabbagh and Claire Holt, all in Grade 4, Paula Florez (Grade 5), Maddy Rivard (Grade 6) and Autumn Belanger (Grade 7).

The mural council “oversaw what I did,” Ms. Lange noted.

Claire said she helped Ms. Lange with painting.

“Janet told me where to paint,” Claire said, adding it was fun to participate.

The colourful mural features flowers, children, a dove and nature themes.

Maddy noted, “I kind of liked helping with the design. I put in a lot of the underwater stuff and the sea.”

Running along the bottom of the mural is the inscription ‘I have Ideas...I am a Believer..I Can...I have A Voice...I am a Team Player.’

“The parents’ council formed a small committee. I was fortunate enough, honoured enough, they gave me the space,” Ms. Lange said.

The pillars will be redone each year, while the mural will remain, she added.